February musings on setting intentions
- CoraLynn
- 10 hours ago
- 6 min read
On setting intentions this February to guide you through the creative year.
February is unfolding before us as we start to notice the first signs of spring. The snowdrops are rising from the dormant earth, the sun stays with us longer in the evenings, and the early birds are singing their springsong as they start building new nests. After winter's hibernation, nature has fallen into movement again. This is spring’s soft invitation for us to do the same. Hibernation is over, and it is time for us to start moving forward. This year, I am planning my path of movement with intentions. Intentions are these small guiding lights that will be with me in my every action and reaction. Setting intentions for me this year, center around my mantra word “ Gentleness.”
What is setting intentions?
Setting intentions is the conscious practice of defining how we rise to every occasion, focusing on the inner journey rather than on the outcome. It encourages you to ask questions, reflect, and be more mindful about the way you want to move through life.
Setting intentions is all about growing a new mindset that aligns with your needs, dreams, and core values. And as you grow, so do your intentions. Intentions are flexible and can always be revised when we no longer feel in tune with them.
Setting intentions is a reflective process that needs some soul-searching. It all starts by reflecting on what you are walking towards, how you want to reach it, and how you want to experience the journey.
For example, I would like to grow a more self-compassionate mindset. I want to reach it by showing gentleness towards myself (and others) in those small daily moments when feeling overwhelmed or having those negative self-thoughts. I want my journey to be filled with a gentle compassion for myself and my healing journey. I want there to be moments to pause, reflect, feel deeply, and to be reassured when I stumble or fall along the way. I am drawing my intentions through all aspects of my life, my relationships with others, my creative journey, my work, my family,.. I want this soothing comfort to be wherever I find myself in life, and this can only be reached when I give myself space to let that compassionate voice exist.
How do I set intentions?
Reflect and journal
what it is that you desire in life? What are your core values, and how can you align yourself with them?
Frame your intentions with a positive voice.
This helps us to prevent this tension of “I must do this or else”, which only creates resistance towards the set intention.
Keep it simple and clear.
This helps you to remember your intentions throughout the day and actually put them into practice.
Make your intentions visible.
Visit your intentions often by writing them down and maybe hanging them somewhere visible. Visual reminders help us redirect back to our intentions.
Align with your intentions.
Journal or make a list on how you can put your intentions into actions that align with them. For me, I write daily on different projects because when I am not inspired to write for one, I still have something else to write for, and this allows me to be gentle with myself as a writer and constantly find joy on my creative journey.
Be patient with the journey.
Setting intentions does not change something immediately. It is a gradual process of reaching and developing a new mindset. Any growth needs time and the space to unfold.
Reflect and revise.
Often revisit your intentions with a fresh perspective by journaling. Do these intentions still align with me and my path? Is the place I want to move towards still the same? We are always evolving and changing; your intentions can shift as you grow.
Be mindful.
During the day, check in on yourself. How are you feeling? Where am I going? And am I moving with my intentions or against them? Being mindful and in the present is important to navigate yourself.
I have talked about my intentions in my monthly prompt post for February. If you would like to read more about them, then you can find the blog here.
Since I have started setting intentions, I feel calmer, grateful, creative, and in tune with my surroundings. I have worked on different writing projects while still finding time for my household, family, and children. My self-confidence has grown, and I am learning to let go of my need for perfection and just focus on the writing.
Some intentions you could set as a poet or writer
Be more in tune with nature and let it inspire your writing.
Build a writing habit you can easily combine with work and family.
Fall back in love with your passion for writing.
Deepen your writing skills by trying different forms and genres.
Immerse yourself in poetry by reading and writing different forms.
Build meaningful relationships inside a writing community.
Be kinder to yourself during the writing process.
Reflective prompts to find your intentions
What are you feeling pulled towards?
Are there small steps you could take to start moving towards it?
What is something I hope to achieve in life? And can I allow myself to walk towards it?
What are my core values? And how can I align with them?
How can I build a mindset that works with me instead of against me? What do I need to build this new mindset?
What is it that matters most to me right now?
Remember that intentions are your guiding light to help you reach a destination, but they are not the destination itself. When you have forgotten about them, don’t worry, because we can redirect ourselves again towards that light and follow it again at our own pace. No deadlines or pressure, just an intention of wanting to align with your values and dreams.
Are you going to try to set some intentions for spring? If you do, let me know what they are. Perhaps, I can help you look for ways of navigating your intentions in daily life practices.
February poem
Quotes on movement and intentions
"You create a good future by creating a good present."
Eckhart Tolle.
"The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new."
Socrates.
“When your intention is clear, so is the way”
Alan Cohen
“If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Gentle words for February
Take these gentle words to heart and hold them close whenever you start doubting yourself.
“Not all growth is instant and loud; it is in the quiet where we feel that growth moves from day to day.”
CoraLynn / A Gentle Quill
Writing prompts
I have gathered 5 poetry prompts and 5 creative writing prompts to further reflect on the topic of intentions and invite you to write a poem while you do. Play, bend, or twist these prompts and see where your creative mind leads you.
Inner intentions
Flow with the current.
Hope washed ashore
Truth is never hard to find
Wayfinder
Write a letter addressed to your dreams.
Write a poem that explores February through a map leading to spring.
Write a list poem about your intentions for this month.
Write a sensory poem about walking barefoot towards your dream.
Write a poem that starts with “Let me tell you about February.”
Let me know if you felt inspired to write for any of these prompts. I would love to read your take on them.
Stay connected
I hope this post inspired you to start moving forward with intentions guiding you the way. Let them lead you towards those writing dreams or enrich your life with purpose and meaning.
If you want to receive more musings, poetry, and prompts, consider subscribing to my free newsletter to support my creative work.
Thank you for being part of the Gentle Quill community!
Your support means the world to me.
All my love,
CoraLynn
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